$600 car seat scores zero in new crash test, ejects the dummy

 Image: NRMA/YouTube

In the first time in more than 25 years, a dummy was ejected from a car seat during a crash test.

The $629 Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed a crash test by independent non-profit Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP). During the test, the restraint was released in a crash at 56km/h, causing the dummy to fly through the air. The results lead to CREP reworking their protocol so that a zero rating can be given.

“Doesn’t cut it”

“A child restraint that doesn’t restrain a dummy just doesn’t cut it”, said NRMA’s road safety expert Dimitra Vlahomitros said in a statement.

“This is the first time a restraint failed to the extent that the dummy was ejected. Choosing the correct child seat could be a lifesaving decision, so it is critical parents make their purchase based on performance and ease of use rather than price or aesthetics.

“Any parent looking at the footage of a crash test wouldn’t have any comfort that a child would be restrained and survive a crash. That’s what parents demand: That a restraint should restrain a child and save his or her life.”

The details:

• Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed CREP car seat testing.

• The crash test dummy was ejected at a crash at 56km/h.

• Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed the test when the seat was in ISOFIX forward-facing mode. ISOFIX is another way to secure the seat to the car, without using a seatbelt.

• When secured by a seatbelt, the Joie I-Travvel scored one star in the same forward-facing mode.

• When the seat was rear-facing recommended for babies six-months and under – it scored four stars in the CREP testing.

The Joie I-Travvel Car Seat wasn’t the only car seat tested. The NRMA announced the results for six child restraints which were tested in seven modes and scored on safety and ease of use. Not one restraint scored five stars; only two car seats scored four stars. Read the new car seat ratings.

Watch the footage

What now?

The statement says the NRMA is putting all manufacturers on notice.

“A new protocol is now in place to ensure that manufacturers that under-deliver in future tests to the standards the NRMA expects for its Members will get called out – we do not want restraints shooting dummies out of the seat.”

Testers have contacted the ACCC and NRMA’s Road Safety Expert Dimitra said parents who own this car seat and are thinking about turning it around soon for their child, need to know how it performed.

“These tests demonstrate once again that not all car seats are created equal,” says Dimitra, “and the manufacturer needs to lift its game.”

For more Information on crash ratings of car seats visit, www.childcarseats.com.au.

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